That really surprised me when I saw that as I often read positive letters about the Beckley VA in the paper. I know a nurse that works there now and she is simply the best nurse I have ever worked with. I also did my clinicals there and it was always staffed well, it was clean and the hospital is in a beautiful wooded setting.
If there was anything negative, I guess at the time I was there it didnt have the most modern equipment and services are limited there. For many things, they had to send their patients to either Salem or Richmond.
Regardless, I have always recommended the Beckley VA to my relatives (who were veterans) as the care they provide is second to none (and that is rare this day and time).
I think one of the issues is physician coverage. For what I have seen, morale is no worse than other facilities in the area. The facility is clean, the food could improve but every institution has that complaint, and there is a good deal of outside support in the area for the vets. I know vets are shipped to Salem, Richmond, and Huntington but I heard that is less common than a few years ago.
I just hope this problem does not result in another attempt to close this facility. Back in the 90's there was a push to do that, but the community and vets blocked that. I just wish for the best for the vets.
gitterbug
540 Posts
Senator Rockefeller has called for an investigation of this facility due to poor staffing and low morale. Any comments?